Orthodontic lingual device

Abstract

Orthodontic devices for segmental distalization in a patient are provided. The orthodontic device includes an elongated central arm; a distal part comprising a distal base surface adapted for attachment to a lingual surface of a molar, wherein the distal part is located at a distal end of the central arm. The device also includes a mesial part comprising a mesial base surface adapted for attachment to a lingual surface of a premolar, wherein the mesial part is located at a mesial end of the central arm. The mesial part and/or distal part comprising a first retention element for retention of a first end of an elastic element. The central arm is shaped to substantially follow a lingual side of a set of teeth. The present disclosure further relates to orthodontic kits and to methods for mounting orthodontic devices and to methods for treatment of malocclusions.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An orthodontic lingual device for segmental distalization of a set of teeth in a patient, comprising:
 an elongated central arm; 
 a distal part comprising a distal base surface adapted to be attached to a lingual surface of a molar, wherein the distal part is located at a distal end of the elongated central arm; 
 a mesial part comprising a mesial base surface adapted to be attached to a lingual surface of a premolar, wherein
 the mesial part is located at a mesial end of the elongated central arm, 
 the mesial part and/or the distal part comprises a first retention element for retention of a first end of an external actuating element, 
 the elongated central arm extends between the mesial base surface and the distal base surface and is shaped to substantially follow a lingual side of the set of teeth, 
 the elongated central arm is not adapted to be connected to any other tooth, and 
 the distal part comprises a receptacle for receiving the first end of the actuating element, wherein the actuating element is a piston. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated central arm, the distal part and the mesial part are integrally formed. 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic device is adapted to be attached to a first molar and a first premolar. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic device is adapted to be attached to a second molar and a first premolar. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic device is adapted to be attached to a second molar and a second premolar. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic device is adapted to be positioned in the patient's mandible. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic device is adapted to be position in the patient's maxilla. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a distal end region of the elongated central arm is provided with flexibility such that an angle between a distal end region of the elongated central arm and a neighboring portion of the elongated central arm can be adapted. 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 8 , wherein in an undeformed state, an angle α between a longitudinal axis of the elongated central arm and the distal base surface is between 30° and 90°. 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein in an undeformed state, the angle α between the longitudinal axis of the elongated central arm and the distal base surface is between 45° and 75°. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the distal end region is thinner than the neighboring portion of the elongated central arm. 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the mesial part comprises a hooking element for retention of the first end of an elastic element, wherein the elastic element is a rubber band. 
     
     
       13. A kit comprising an orthodontic lingual device for segmental distalization of a set of teeth in a patient, the orthodontic lingual device comprising:
 an elongated central arm; 
 a distal part comprising a distal base surface adapted to be attached to a lingual surface of a molar, wherein the distal part is located at a distal end of the elongated central arm; 
 a mesial part comprising a mesial base surface adapted to be attached to a lingual surface of a premolar, wherein
 the mesial part is located at a mesial end of the elongated central arm, 
 the mesial part and/or the distal part comprises a first retention element for retention of a first end of an external actuating element, 
 the elongated central arm extends between the mesial base surface and the distal base surface and is shaped to substantially follow a lingual side of the set of teeth, 
 the elongated central arm is not adapted to be connected to any other tooth; and 
 
 an anchor including a second retention element for retention of a second end of the actuating element. 
 
     
     
       14. A method for mounting an orthodontic lingual device for segmental distalization of a set of teeth in a patient, the orthodontic lingual device comprising:
 an elongated central arm; 
 a distal part comprising a distal base surface adapted to be attached to a lingual surface of a molar, wherein the distal part is located at a distal end of the elongated central arm; 
 a mesial part comprising a mesial base surface adapted to be attached to a lingual surface of a premolar, wherein
 the mesial part is located at a mesial end of the elongated central arm, 
 the mesial part and/or the distal part comprises a first retention element for retention of a first end of an external actuating element, 
 the elongated central arm extends between the mesial base surface and the distal base surface and is shaped to substantially follow a lingual side of the set of teeth, 
 the elongated central arm is not adapted to be connected to any other tooth, 
 a distal end region of the elongated central arm is provided with flexibility such that an angle between the distal end region of the elongated central arm and a neighboring portion of the elongated central arm can be adapted to the patient's teeth, and 
 in an undeformed state, an angle between a longitudinal axis of the elongated central arm and the distal base surface is between 30 degrees and 90 degrees; 
 
 the method comprising: 
 elastically deforming the distal end region of the central elongated arm, and 
 mounting the distal end region to a tooth, such that the device is pre-stressed when mounted. 
 
     
     
       15. A method for treating a malocclusion in a patient, comprising:
 mounting an orthodontic lingual device for segmental distalization of a set of teeth in a maxilla of a patient, comprising: 
 an elongated central arm; 
 a distal part comprising a distal base surface adapted to be attached to a lingual surface of a molar, wherein the distal part is located at a distal end of the elongated central arm; 
 a mesial part comprising a mesial base surface adapted to be attached to a lingual surface of a premolar, wherein
 the mesial part is located at a mesial end of the elongated central arm, 
 the mesial part and/or the distal part comprises a first retention element for retention of a first end of an external actuating element, 
 the elongated central arm extends between the mesial base surface and the distal base surface and is shaped to substantially follow a lingual side of the set of teeth, 
 the elongated central arm is not connected to any other tooth; and 
 
 attaching the external actuating element to the first retention element. 
 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 monitoring a movement of the set of teeth of the maxilla with respect to the mandible; and 
 removing the orthodontic device when the mandibular teeth and maxillary teeth in a posterior section of the mouth are aligned. 
 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 mounting brackets after removing the orthodontic device. 
 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 15 , wherein mounting the orthodontic device comprises elastically deforming a distal portion of the orthodontic device such that the distal portion is pre-stressed. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 monitoring an orientation of the molar.